Climate records indicate more
hot days likely in mid-July

[JUXX xx, 2002]  ^"With planting delays due to the wet spring, there is growing concern about the effects of July’s typically hot weather on crops with less mature root systems. Hot weather and associated slight drops in rainfall are more likely to occur in mid-July — almost a 50 percent higher likelihood than in the first and last week of July," says Jim Angel, state climatologist with the Illinois State Water Survey, a division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Using historical data across Illinois for July, the number of days at or above 90 F and the average rainfall total per week are as follows: 1.9 days at or above 90 F, 0.99 inches rain, June 30-July 6; 2.7 days, 0.80 inches, July 7-13; 2.8 days, 0.87 inches, July 14-20; 2.1 days, 0.95 inches, July 21-27; and 1.8 days, 0.78 inches, July 28-Aug. 3.

For Illinois, average high temperatures in July typically range from 90 in the far south to 82 in the far northeast, where Lake Michigan has cooling effects. As a result, days with temperatures 90 or higher are more common in southern Illinois than in northern Illinois. However, data indicates the greatest likelihood of hot weather during the three middle weeks of July, regardless of the location in the state.

Looking across the state, historical data shows a fairly even distribution of precipitation throughout July, with some tendency to be drier in the second week of July. The average amount of rainfall during July is 4.05 inches, says Angel. So far for June, cool, wet conditions early in the month have been balanced by warm, dry conditions later on. As a result, June is near average in terms of both temperature and precipitation. Soil moisture levels are adequate at present, although the warm, dry weather has dried out the surface layer at some locations.

The National Weather Service forecast calls for equal chances of above average, below average and average temperatures for July. Historical records also indicate that hot days in June do not necessarily lead to hot weather in July and August.

"Historical records give us an idea when heat waves are most likely to occur. Unfortunately, specific heat waves are hard to predict more than a few days in advance," says Angel.

[to top of second column in this article]

Looking across the state, historical data shows a fairly even distribution of precipitation throughout July, with some tendency to be drier in the second week of July. The average amount of rainfall during July is 4.05 inches, says Angel. So far for June, cool, wet conditions early in the month have been balanced by warm, dry conditions later on. As a result, June is near average in terms of both temperature and precipitation. Soil moisture levels are adequate at present, although the warm, dry weather has dried out the surface layer at some locations.

The National Weather Service forecast calls for equal chances of above average, below average and average temperatures for July. Historical records also indicate that hot days in June do not necessarily lead to hot weather in July and August.

"Historical records give us an idea when heat waves are most likely to occur. Unfortunately, specific heat waves are hard to predict more than a few days in advance," says Angel.

[Eva Kingston, editor,
Illinois State Water Survey]

Head

[JUNE xx, 2002]  The

[to top of second column in this article]

[  credit  ]

Mathias to marry Seggelke

Announcement is made of the engagement of Alysha Mathias, daughter of Mike and Joyce Mathias, and Trent Seggelke, son of Tom and Rita Seggelke and Dale Seggelke

Alysha has a bachelor’s degree in family life ministry from Lincoln Christian College and is intake coordinator for Bloomington Township

Trent has a bachelor’s degree in preaching ministry from Lincoln Christian College and is currently employed at Key Printing

The wedding is planned for Aug. 24 at First Christian Church, Clinton.

Hartem FFA brings home awards

[JUNE 29, 2002]  Hartsburg-Emden FFA members recently attended the 74th Illinois FFA Convention. Chapter members received numerous awards and recognitions as well as enjoying the main session.

Brittney Kavanaugh received a blue ribbon for her agri-science fair project at the state competition.

Kent Leesman was recognized for his outstanding achievements this past year as a top chapter president, Star Farmer finalist, Grain Production Proficiency winner, and National Risk Management Essay winner.

Natalie Coers was recognized for her achievements as a top ten chapter reporter, as well as participating in the state FFA band.

Nic Coers, Daniel Eeten and Kent Leesman were honored to receive their state FFA degrees at the convention.

Although individual chapter members brought home the awards, the Hartem FFA chapter also gained recognition. Hartem FFA won the Co-op Award, Triple Crown Heritage Award, Century Challenge Sweepstakes Award, and was named a Gold Emblem Chapter. The convention proved to be a show of excellence for all of the FFA members and chapters from across the state.

[News release]

Img24

[Hartem FFA members ready for the closing of "Journey of a Lifetime."]

Biotech crop use benefits environment

[JUNE 29, 2002]  The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, a non-profit consortium of scientists, released a comprehensive report on June 25 detailing the environmental safety and environmental benefits of commercial biotechnology-derived soy, corn and cotton crops.

"In the past, isolated studies regarding the environmental impact of biotechnology-derived crops appeared to present conflicting results," said Teresa Gruber, the executive vice president of CAST. "Teams of researchers assembled by CAST have reviewed and analyzed the published studies in the context of current farming practices, and the results clearly show that soil, air and water quality are enhanced through the responsible use of current biotechnology-derived soybean, corn and cotton crops."

Three independent teams of CAST researchers reviewed the available scientific literature to compare the environmental impacts of biotechnology-derived and traditional crops. The researchers are affiliated with Washington State University, the University of Illinois, Clemson University, and the National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy.

"The study was based on nine criteria, including changes in pesticide use patterns, impacts on beneficial insects, pest resistance, soil management, land use efficiency, impacts on biodiversity and, of course, human exposure," said Allan Felsot, Washington State University professor.

Specific findings for one of the most widely planted biotech-derived crops, herbicide-tolerant soybeans, include the following:

•  Soil quality — No-till soybean acreage in the United States has increased significantly since the introduction of herbicide-tolerant soybeans. No-till often results in less soil erosion, dust and pesticide runoff as well as increased soil moisture retention.

•  Water quality — Use of biotechnology-derived soybeans enables farmers to use a more benign herbicide that rapidly dissipates in the soil and water.

•  Air quality — Greenhouse gas emissions from some farm operations decreased by an estimated 88 percent as a result of biotech soybeans planted in a no-tillage system, which may help slow global warming.

•  Biodiversity — The no-till practices commonly associated with biotech soybeans provide a more favorable habitat for birds and other wildlife. No-tillage systems provide food and shelter for wildlife such as pheasants and ducks.

•  Land use efficiency — Biotechnology-derived soybeans may lead to increased yields through improved weed control and the adoption of narrow-row spacing.

The study found similar benefits for corn and cotton crops derived through biotechnology. David Onstad from the University of Illinois was one of two scientists who prepared the corn portion of the report.

[to top of second column in this article]

"We literally reviewed hundreds of scientific documents, and we concluded that biotechnology-derived corn has had a positive effect on the environment," Onstad said.

Corn was a more complicated crop to review because there is Bt corn to control insects, there are herbicide-resistant hybrids, and there are hybrids used for animal feed as well as human food.

"Definitely, Bt corn has reduced pesticide use," Onsatd said. "And there was no evidence that non-target species are affected in a negative way by biotechnology-derived hybrids. There was no evidence that these hybrids have or will become off-site weeds either."

"Also, we expect that human exposure to toxins has been reduced by the use of biotechnology-derived corn hybrids — both toxins from chemical pesticides as well as naturally occurring toxins such as aflatoxin."

Onstad says that although we have had positive environmental impacts from biotechnology-derived corn, soybean and cotton, we need to continue to monitor present and future biotechnology-derived crops and conduct public-based research to measure their efficacy. He says the report contains 10 recommendations about the research needed to effectively monitor emerging biotech crops and technologies.

The USDA’s "Prospective Plantings," published in March, estimated that 20 percent of Illinois’ corn acreage was planted with biotechnology-derived insect protection and 3 percent was planted with biotechnology-derived herbicide tolerance. The same report estimated that 71 percent of Illinois’ soybean acreage was planted with biotechnology-derived herbicide tolerance.

The United Soybean Board, a nonprofit organization representing soybean farmers in United States, commissioned the report.

Founded in 1972, CAST is a nonprofit organization composed of scientific societies and many individual, student, company, nonprofit and associate society members. CAST assembles, interprets and communicates science-based information regionally, nationally and internationally on food, fiber, agricultural, natural resource and related societal and environmental issues to stakeholders — legislators, regulators, policymakers, the media, the private sector and the public.

The full report is available at the following Web address:

http://www.cast-science.org/biotechnology/
index.html#biotechcropsbenefit.

[U of I news release]

[JUNE xx, 2002]  Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital received a score of 97 on a recent survey by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. This places ALMH in the top 10 percent of all hospitals surveyed against a comprehensive set of standards applied to all hospitals equally, regardless of size.

Founded in 1951, the commission is dedicated to continuously improving the safety and quality of the nation’s health care through voluntary accreditation. A team of health-care professionals conducts an on-site survey of the hospital, interviewing staff and patients, reviewing documents, examining physical surroundings, and observing patient care. The commission’s on-site survey of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital occurred in May.

"Above all, the national standards are intended to stimulate continuous, systematic and organization-wide improvement in an organization’s performance and the outcomes of care," says Russell P. Massaro, M.D., executive vice president of accreditation operations for the commission. "The community should be proud that Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital is focusing on the most challenging goal — to continuously raise quality and safety to higher levels."

[to top of second column in this article]

F. G. "Woody" Hester, president and chief executive officer of ALMH, spoke of his pride in a staff that not only works hard to achieve accreditation by the Joint Commission, but also strives to be the best. "At ALMH the number one priority of our staff is to be the best rural hospital in America. That means that safety and quality, the things the JCAHO team are most interested in, are always job one," stated Hester.

Hester said of the staff’s reaction to the survey results, "They are rightfully proud of their accomplishment but they aren’t satisfied to be among the top 10 percent of hospitals surveyed … they truly want to be the best … what a team!"

[News release]

Red Cross blood drives in July

[JULY xx, 2002]  The American Red Cross will have two blood drives at the Lincoln Sports Complex in July. They will be sponsored by Lincoln Printers, Inc. On July 3, hours will be from noon until 6 p.m. Hours on July 17 will be from noon until 5 p.m.

Also on July 17, Faith Lutheran Church will host a drive from noon until 6 p.m.

Atlanta Christian Church will be the site for a drive from noon until 6 p.m. July 18.

St. Peter Lutheran Church in Emden will host a drive on July 26, with hours from 2 until 6 p.m.

During June, the following people reached milestones in their blood donations: Willard Emmons, 13 gallons; Joe Reichle, 12; Nancy A. Lahr, seven; Larry J. Lessen, six; W.B. Franz, five; Richard D. Martin, three; Beverly Lessen, two; Paul Eckert, two; Thomas Steiner, two; Carolyn Follis, one; and Ruth A. Fredericks, one gallon.

TB elimination: Now is the time!

[JULY xx, 2002]  While tuberculosis is an ancient disease, it is also one of the world’s deadliest. Each year, 8 million people around the world become sick with TB. One-third of the world’s population is infected with the TB bacillus. Each year, there are over 2 million TB-related deaths worldwide. TB is the leading killer of people who are HIV-infected, accounting for one-third of AIDS deaths worldwide. TB causes more deaths among women worldwide than all causes of maternal mortality combined.

What is tuberculosis? TB is caused by an organism called myco bacterium tuberculosis. When a person with active TB disease coughs or sneezes, tiny particles containing M. tuberculosis may be expelled into the air. If another person inhales air that contains these particles, transmission from one person to another may occur. However, not everyone infected with the TB germ becomes sick; as a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection and active TB disease — both of which are treatable and curable.  [See comparative chart.]

If your doctor feels you need treatment for LTBI or active TB disease, it is very important to take all of medicines as directed. If you are noncompliant, it can become a drug-resistant strain of TB that can be very hard to treat.

[to top of second column in this article]

TB skin testing is recommended for certain areas of employment and for certain high-risk groups. TB skin testing is also required for children in some day-care programs and preschool programs. TB skin testing is also recommended before traveling to and after returning from a high-risk country. When the TB skin test is given it will need to be checked in two to three days. This requires two visits from the client.

TB skin tests are given free of charge to residents of Logan County. These tests are available from the Logan County Health Department Monday through Friday, 7:30 to 4:30, on a walk-in basis. TB skin tests are also available on the rural medi-van. If you have any questions, please call Logan County Health Department, (217) 735-2317.

[News release]

Special baking contests
offered at state fair

[JULY xx, 2002]  Contestants are invited to make gingerbread houses and Spam recipes to enter at the Illinois State Fair in August.

Awards will for the most creative entries in the Brer Rabbit® Molasses Gingerbread House Contest at the state fair. Both beginners and gingerbread house enthusiasts are invited to compete for cash and prizes. In 2001, judges picked winning entries ranging from traditional to elaborate, including a castle, a detailed tree house with garden and another resembling the "Old Woman in a Shoe." Any theme entry is welcome that uses Brer Rabbit molasses and is up to a foot tall, wide and deep, base not included. Entrants must also bake and enter one dozen gingerbread cookies.

Winners are selected based on appearance (50 percent), originality and creativity (40 percent), and taste (10 percent). Creators are awarded $150 for first place, $75 for second and $25 for third. People of any age may enter, with one entry per person or group. Several people may work on one entry, but one person represents the group. 

[to top of second column in this article]

The Illinois State Fair will be one of 70 fairs hosting the Spam® Oven Roasted Turkey Contest. Using the Spam turkey and up to nine other ingredients, contestants are to create an original main dish, appetizer, casserole, stew, stir-fry, salad sandwich or any other recipe. To focus on convenience, cooking time may not exceed 30 minutes.

Judges select winners based on taste appeal (40 percent), appearance (30 percent) and originality (30 percent). The three best entries win cash awards of $150, $50 and $25, and first-place winners advance to national judging for a $2,500 shopping spree and an all-expense-paid trip to Minneapolis.

To enter either contest, contact the entry department at the Illinois State Fair, 782-6661, by July 15. More details for the gingerbread contest are on page 90, and those for the Spam contest are on page 86 of the general premium book.

[News release]

History and lessons offered in Underground Railroad signal quilts

History and lessons offered in Underground Railroad signal quilts

[JUNE xx, 2002]  Because of a recent surge of interest in Underground Railroad signal quilts, an exhibit of replicated quilts will be displayed in the rotunda of the Logan County Courthouse during Lincoln’s sesquicentennial celebration Aug. 21-31, 2003. Lessons on making these historic quilts will be offered monthly through next April.

 The history of the signal quilts dates to the days of slavery, in the low country of South Carolina. There, some blacks who were planning to escape their bondage were taught an intricate code of signals that would help them successfully complete their journey north to freedom.

The signals were pieced into colorful quilts that were displayed on the plantations prior to the trip as mnemonic devices, or reminders, of what they had learned, to increase their chances of success. Because quilts were such a common household item, they aroused no suspicion. The signals were "hidden in plain view."

The quilt code remained a highly guarded secret, passed down through oral tradition only to those deemed trustworthy. As time passed, fewer and fewer people remembered the code, and some of those who learned it considered it no longer important.

The late Ozella Williams of Charleston, S.C., was one of the people who learned the code from her grandmother and mother. Childless, Williams tried to share the code with a niece, who found no value in it. In her old age, seeking to complete her obligation to pass the code on, Williams shared the information with Denver writer Jacqueline Tobin.

Tobin teamed with quilter and historian Raymond Dobard to produce a book, "Hidden in Plain View," which became an overnight sensation in the quilting world. The book is available at Lincoln Public Library.

Sue Bidwell of Sew Many Friends quilt shop, 127 S. Kickapoo St., will give a series of lessons on preparing signal quilt blocks. All lessons will be presented from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Sew Many Friends. The shop is handicapped-accessible.

The lessons are for people who would like to learn about and make the signal quilt blocks, either to make into a quilt for the display or for their own pleasure. Quilters will retain ownership of the blocks they make.

Beginning quilters, as well as those with experience, are encouraged to participate in both the quilting workshops and the show. One class will be given for each of the 10 primary signal blocks listed in "Hidden in Plain View." Because of limited space, each class will be limited to 15 participants, who must preregister.

[to top of second column in this article]

The fee for each class is $5, which includes a free pattern and hands-on instructions. Each person who completes the class will receive a $5 gift certificate good for fabric from Sew Many Friends.

• Participants have the following choices: Buy a pre-cut quilt block kit at a cost of $5; or bring pre-washed and ironed fabric and cut the block pieces at the workshop. Those who plan to cut their own fabric should also bring a plastic ruler, rotary cutter and mat. Information on the shades and amount of fabric needed will be available when you register.

• Bring your own sewing machine, or bring a quilting needle and thimble and sew by hand.

• Each participant also should bring his or her own choice of thread, scissors, a ripper and a gallon-sized reclosable bag for storing the quilt pattern and pieces.

The quilt blocks will be completed in order of ease of sewing, rather than the order of the code. Lessons have been scheduled as follows:

• Bow Tie, July 14; reservation deadline July 6.

• Crossroads, Aug. 17; reservation deadline Aug. 10.

• Log Cabin, Sept. 15; reservation deadline Sept. 7.

• Bear’s Paw, Oct. 12, reservation deadline, Oct. 5.

• Flying Geese, Nov. 10, reservation deadline Nov. 2.

• Monkey Wrench, Dec. 14, reservation deadline Dec. 7.

• Drunkard’s Path, Jan. 12, reservation deadline Jan. 4.

• Double Wedding Ring, Feb. 15, reservation deadline Feb. 8.

• Wagon Wheel, March 16, reservation deadline March 8.

• The April 19 class will provide tips for setting the blocks together into a quilt top. Students will be responsible for quilting or tying their own quilts or having them quilted or tied.

[Thressia Usherwood,
Lincoln sesquicentennial publicity chairman]

[JUNE xx, 2002]  SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE — Two years ago, Chad Bryant of Lincoln left home to fulfill a lifetime dream of traveling.

Now he’s helping fight the war on terror.

"I always wanted to travel," Bryant said. "So, I got my associate’s degree from Lincoln College in 1998, I got married, joined the Air Force and left for training two months later.

"My wife and I even moved our wedding date up so we could get married before I left for basic training!

"But I had no idea at the time just how important my job would be."

He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Don Bryant of Lincoln.

It was a very big year for Bryant in 1999, and the pace has never slowed. Since his graduation from basic training — an event he considers one of his proudest achievements — Airman Bryant has had the opportunity to work in the long and winding halls of power at the Pentagon, a bit off the beaten path from Lincoln.

"My wife and I had a lot of fun in D.C.," Bryant said. "We got out of Illinois and got to see another part of the United States."

After assignment at the Pentagon, it was back to Illinois for a tour at U.S. Transportation Command — the military’s transportation center. Bryant is an intelligence systems administrator, responsible for ensuring computer servers are up and running, allowing the command’s 1,000-plus military men and women and civilians to communicate electronically at a moment’s notice. Information technology is of paramount importance in coordinating worldwide transportation and delivery of personnel and supplies for the military.

Almost all of the personnel and equipment delivered to fight Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, a land-locked country, was flown into that mountainous country by Transcom C-17s and C-130s. The effort required a great deal of traffic on computer systems handled by Bryant and others in his department.

"We sustain several main servers as well as hundreds of client workstations," he says. "I was never really into computers before, but that has changed. The Air Force gives you incredible training, and I was really enjoying my job."

Sept. 11 was something Bryant says he will never forget.

He was at work in the Communication Center at the transportation command when the terrorists hit the World Trade Center towers. The event changed his job and his view of its importance.

"I saw how vital my position is to the command. My work became more important, knowing that keeping lines of communication open for our command — and all the people who depend on us — rested partly upon my work," he said.

[to top of second column in this article]

Things have slowed down a bit since then as Bryant makes sure that the command’s information technology system gives us an edge in the war against terrorism.

After working often-long hours, Bryant spends most of his free time with his children, Isaiah, 2, and Brianna, 4 months.

"I’m always doing something with them, whether it is crawling around on the floor or completing a college education to provide them with a good example."

Bryant received his bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Greenville College this spring and planned to apply for Officer Training School. The Air Force will pay most of the bill for his college education.

Bryant says he would like to make the Air Force a lifetime career.

"I enjoy the challenge, and it is interesting meeting new people," he said. "I’ve learned from working within a joint command that each branch of service helps one another and how essential they are to one another’s success."

Bryant has been making a name for himself around the transportation command. The command is responsible for most air, land, and sea transportation needs worldwide for the Department of Defense. Recently, Bryant was selected as U.S. Transportation Command’s Junior Servicemember of the Quarter, an honor given only to the command’s most deserving servicemen and women.

His selection was based in part on his active community work, supporting the local Airman’s Attic, a charity providing various household items to military families — senior airman rank and below. Bryant also donates his time to various cancer walks in the St. Louis area.

"My parents are both survivors of cancer. I feel it is my responsibility to walk in honor of them," Bryant says. "I enjoy volunteer work because I know that my community was there for me during rough times. So, I am there to provide that same support."

And still on the airman’s mind is his continued desire to travel.

"I want to travel," he said "Italy is my first choice, but I am ready to go anywhere."

He will get his wish when his tour at Transcom ends in 2003. He will be deployed, and it will be far from Illinois.

In the military, that’s something Bryant knows he can count on.

[Kelly Thompson,
U.S. Transportation Command,
public affairs]

[JUNE xx, 2002]  ^"It’s fantastic! Fantastic!" said Lincoln College President Jack Nutt of the $2 million in additional capital funding for the school in the state budget approved by the General Assembly Sunday.

Nutt said he had received no word but assumes the money is an Illinois FIRST grant resulting from the letter he sent Gov. George Ryan six months ago. He emphasizes that the grant is "not a done deal" since it could still be removed. But since the General Assembly has adjourned and the governor approved the funding, Nutt is optimistic it won’t be removed or vetoed.

Nutt also said he does not know whether the grant is for the proposed museum, athletic center or unspecified "capital construction," as in the case of two previous Illinois FIRST grants totaling $1.1 million. If either of the last two is the case, Nutt said, he’s ready to "put the hole in the ground."

Once designed as a single structure, the proposed Lincoln College athletic center and museum now stand separate in architectural drawings. At graduation on May 11, Nutt formally kicked off the fund drive for the two buildings, with a substantial sum from individual and governmental sources already in the coffers.

The athletic and convocation center site is on Nicholson Road, just beyond where it bends off Ottawa Street. Tentatively called the Lincoln Center, the building includes a multipurpose gymnasium with bleacher seating for 1,000, wrestling area, offices for all members of the athletic department, locker rooms, a community fitness center, hall of fame and training room.

The proposed Lincoln College Museum is located on the corner of Keokuk and Ottawa, across from the college library, on the former site of the college tennis courts. The facade, including limestone columns and facing, is designed to remind the viewer of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to be built in Springfield. "A stately museum to a stately president" is how curator Ron Keller puts it.

Though Nutt expects both structures to be built within a couple of years, the athletic center will come first because it directly affects the students. "We have to have the gym," Nutt said. The Davidson-Sheffer Gymnasium, in current use, was built in 1933.

The construction budget for both projects totals $6.5 million, with the athletic center accounting for $4.5 million. The college already had $4.5 million in May, Nutt said, but some of it is designated for scholarships and restricted gifts. Besides the fund drive and Illinois FIRST application, he has asked for a federal grant to cover approximately half the $2 million cost of the museum.

A factor in fund-raising is the proposed federal Charity Recovery and Empowerment Act, which has already passed the House of Representatives. Retroactive to Jan. 1, 2002, it provides for the conversion of IRAs to charitable purposes without tax consequences. If the Senate passes the bill, Nutt expects to raise any money he still needs in a short time.

Several reasons account for splitting the original building plan. First, Nutt said, vouchers for the first two Illinois FIRST grants totaling $1.1 million, which were expected to be earmarked for the museum, said capital construction instead, so the money can be used for the athletic center. The two checks have time limits ending in June and July of 2003. Second, the combined structure grew too large for its site. Finally, some donors prefer to support a separate museum.

Dennis Shoemaker of Diversified Buildings in Morton is architect for both projects. The athletic and convocation center comprises 40,000 square feet. Nutt said that with chairs on the floor the gymnasium will seat up to 3,000. Besides hosting graduation ceremonies and being home to Lynx teams, it can accommodate end-of-the-season tournaments.

Plans also include a fitness center with aerobic, cardiovascular and ergonomic equipment. Membership will be available to the public. A pet project of Nutt’s is the Logan County Hall of Fame, with photos of famous LC residents from a variety of fields, though he expects sports to predominate.

Nutt hopes to install a composition floor and dropped ceiling in Davidson-Sheffer Gymnasium and use it for a variety of purposes. Physical education classes, however, will be located in the new field house.

The 10,000-square-foot museum has an open design, specialized lighting and environmental controls to protect the collection. Separate rooms house the college’s rare-book collection and a 50-seat tiered lecture room, which will also be used for presentations to tour groups. Work areas, a vault and a kitchen complete the main floor. There is also a full basement.

Ron Keller, curator of the museum, is in no hurry to build. The museum must last for 50 years, he said, so it is important to take time and be sure all needs have been anticipated. Besides, Keller and assistant Paul Gleason, both at LC for about two years, have not yet completed inventorying the collection.

Most impressive to tourists are artifacts such as the rails split by Lincoln’s cousin John Hanks in 1830 and the replica of Lincoln’s chair in Ford’s Theatre. These three-dimensional objects are on display in the current museum in McKinstry Library.

However, the museum has many documents that are not displayed. These include letters from every member of Lincoln’s cabinet, correspondence between Lincoln and his eldest son, Robert Todd Lincoln, and documents from people ranging from Robert E. Lee to Frederick Douglass.

Although most of the collection deals with Lincoln’s presidential years, Keller plans to emphasize the young, unbearded, pre-presidential Lincoln in the new museum because that was the man who lived here. Tourists want to know Lincoln as he was in Logan County, Keller said.

[to top of second column in this article]

He sees the LC museum and the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield as "both in business doing the same thing — increasing awareness of Lincoln and educating the public." He and Nutt believe both will increase tourism in the area.

About 2,300 visitors toured the college museum last year, representing at least 30 states and five foreign countries. The single biggest month is May, with its many school tours, but the LC Parents Weekend logs the biggest day. Most school tours are elementary classes, with five scheduled this week. In summer, charter tours often have an Abraham Lincoln theme but sometimes focus on Route 66.

Admission is free and expected to remain so in the new structure. Keller said that because the museum has "so many great benefactors" it need not be self-sustaining. However, some revenue is generated by sale of items such as Lincoln busts and statues, beanbag Lincolns, prints, placemats, pens and pencils, toy soldiers, Lincoln penny earrings, and over 40 book titles.

In the new museum Keller plans exhibits consisting of panels using local sources, such as Lawrence Stringer’s 1911 "History of Logan County, Illinois," with Lloyd Ostendorf prints as background. Ostendorf was widely known for his depictions of Abraham Lincoln. The college owns one of his paintings, "Lincoln and the Women He Loved," showing portraits of Lincoln, his mother, stepmother and sister. Keller has obtained permission to use other prints from Ostendorf’s heirs, who he says are "quite excited" about the project.

The museum design allows space for rotating displays as well as the permanent collection. Nutt expects to see loaned exhibits from other institutions at least twice a year. "We send Lincoln artifacts to museums all over the world," he said, "so a lot of museums owe us." He envisions exhibits on various themes, not necessarily Lincoln-related, put together with pieces from several collections.

The LC museum’s collection contains a repository of presidents, including signatures of all U.S. presidents.

It also holds many Logan County articles and maps. These are mostly documents and not of high interest to tourists, but Keller does currently display a 1905 plat book and an 1800s document about building a road to Middletown. Artifacts of local interest include a table owned by Robert Latham and a chair from the Scully house. The new museum will have a somewhat larger local history display. Keller said this idea is still evolving.

For about a year the college museum has been home to the Edward Madigan Collection, consisting of papers dealing with the Lincoln native’s years as congressman and secretary of agriculture, books on state government and agriculture which he collected as a state representative, pictures, and some personal items. At the request of Madigan’s family a few books and letters were de-acquisitioned from the Bush Presidential Library. Again, the collection is not of high tourist interest but noteworthy in Logan County and Lincoln College history. Madigan was a 1955 graduate and trustee of the school. "It’s a priority in our minds" and worthy to be part of the permanent exhibition, Keller said, even though the display will not be large.

The Lincoln Group of Illinois, consisting of over 100 amateur Lincoln scholars currently based at Illinois Benedictine College in Lisle, is moving its headquarters to the LC museum in June. The group has some archives and produces a newsletter, which will be coordinated with the one published by the museum. Keller sees the move as a step toward creating a research center.

Although architectural drawings show stoplights and crosswalks at the intersection of Keokuk and Ottawa, Nutt does not anticipate much foot traffic across Keokuk. "I don’t view the museum as a part of the college," he explained, expecting most visitors to be tourists.

Keller, on the other hand, dreams of a museum and history program that will be a magnet for students. Rosemary Porter, Keller’s first student intern, has worked this year at "transcribing and documenting material on Logan County history and Civil War warrant records, researching and writing about Abraham Lincoln, assisting in the preparation of museum displays, and giving tours for visitors to the museum," he said. Her article on the Lincoln courtship appeared in the spring 2002 issue of the museum’s quarterly, The Lincoln Newsletter.

Ron Keller grew up in Newton, Ill., and earned baccalaureate and master’s degrees in history at Eastern Illinois University. He came to Lincoln College after teaching one year at the elementary level and six years in middle and high school. Besides being curator of the museum, he teaches four courses per semester in history and government.

Former Lincoln Junior High School history teacher Paul Gleason is assistant curator. Among other tasks, he researches and answers questions on local history. The two are organizing, cataloging and preserving materials on Logan County in the 1860s borrowed from the local courthouse. This project sparked collaboration on a book on Logan County soldiers in the Civil War. Gleason is currently writing an article to submit to The Lincoln Newsletter on how Logan County became involved in the war, the number of troops and their experience at Shiloh. He expects to use the article as prelude to the book.

After the museum’s move, its present quarters in McKinstry Library will become an art gallery, and the current Layman Gallery, with entrance beside the card catalog, will be absorbed into the college library.

[Lynn Shearer Spellman]

Back to top